Trattoria 13 Gobbi

A short distance from Piazza Ognissanti and the Westin Excelsior, in a narrow street with very high walls that makes you feel immersed in the atmosphere of the Florence of fifty years ago, there’s a trattoria beloved by both Florentines and foreigners, whose name, if you spend some time in the city, someone will not fail to recommend: the Trattoria 13 Gobbi.

Its interiors exude Tuscany from every corner. You will immediately recognize the familiar beamed ceiling, to which sausages of every kind and braids of garlic are hung to remember the ancient culinary traditions of the area. At the back, instead, the enormous shape of an old wooden press stands out, while, on the shelves all around, old coffee pots are flanked by plates and old advertisings, hand-painted ceramic objects, old rolling pins and panels made from old cases of wine.

The menu of the restaurant resembles that of other typical trattorias scattered throughout the city, but with some pretty original traits. In addition to the typical and excellent hors d’oeuvres of cheeses and salami, the historic specialties of the restaurant are worthy of mention: Castiglione tuna with zolfini beans, pecorino and pear salad and cheeses with country mustard.

Among the first courses, the classic ribollita with farm oil, tasty and fragrant, the pennette alla Chiantigiana and the dish for which this restaurant is most famous: the rigatoni in the tureen. A dish of pasta so succulent that seeing it get to the table, in that almost too large container with its delicious  sauce, will make you feel an appetite that you haven’t felt in a long time.

The section dedicated to second courses is as rich as expected from a trattoria of this level. The Florentine steak is excellent and, more generally, all the products that you can find on the steaming grill are just as good. Do not underestimate the fish dishes, especially if they are listed among the specials of the day, and even side dishes and desserts that are all very simple but still great.

When you leave the Trattoria 13 Gobbi, if you ate as much as we hope, you may be forced to loosen the belt of your pants: your stomach will need space. But if you’re not the type to binge, do not worry: just eat as much as you can, then return quickly as soon as possible.